contempt

contemptcon‧tempt /kənˈtempt/ ●○○ noun [uncountable]1HATEa feeling that someone or something is not important and deserves no respectcontempt forThe contempt he felt for his fellow students was obvious.utter/deep contemptThe report shows utter contempt for women’s judgement.open/undisguised contemptShe looked at him with undisguised contempt.The public is treated with contempt by broadcasters.How could she have loved a man who so clearly held her in contempt?beneath contemptThat sort of behaviour is simply beneath contempt (=does not deserve respect or attention).2SCT law disobedience or disrespect towards a court of lawHe was jailed for seven days for contempt of court.in contempt of somethingHe was found in contempt of the order.3BRAVEcompletelack of fear about somethingcontempt forhis contempt for dangerCOLLOCATIONSverbstreat somebody/something with contemptThe opinions of the public should not be ignored or treated with contempt.have contempt for somebody/something (also feel contempt for somebody/something)He had a deep contempt for authority.show contemptHer face showed clearly the contempt she felt for them.hold somebody/something in contempt (=have a low opinion of something or someone, and show it)He was one of those men who hold in contempt those who do not share his point of view.adjectivesutter/total contemptSally looked at him with utter contempt.the utmost contemptMany people regarded the government with the utmost contempt.open/undisguised contempt (=that you do not try to hide)Her expression was one of open contempt.deep contempt (=great contempt)There is a deep contempt for the commercialism in the West.cold/icy contempt (=that shows in a very unfriendly way)I noticed the icy contempt in his voice.withering contempt (=that makes you feel very inferior)She treated some of her staff with withering contempt.phrasesa look of contemptHe gave her a look of contempt that made her want to hit him.have/feel/show etc nothing but contemptThe public should have nothing but contempt for bad journalism.treat somebody/something with the contempt they deserveShe treated these accusations with the contempt they deserved.familiarity breeds contempt (=used to say that if you know someone very well, you may respect them less)